Crane construction



-. Jan. 24, 1967 R. WILSON 3,300,058

CRANE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1964 IVENTOP RAY WIL $0M United States Patent Office Patented Jan. 24, 196? 3,300,058 CRANE CONSTRUCTION Ray Wilson, Rte. 1, West Alexandria, Ohio 45381 Filed Nov. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 410,892 4 (Jlaims. (Cl. 212-) The present invention relates to traveling cranes or hoists of the type used in foundries and warehouses.

Cranes, in general, are cumbersome, even when operated by a highly skilled operator, and it is difiicult to provide a pin point pick up and set down of the hook. In certain fields of activity, such as in foundry molding, it is imperative that the ladle carrying the melted metal should be presented precisely to the pour opening in the mold. This is usually accomplished by a man standing near the ladle and by means of a hook rod jockeying the ladle into positiona precarious job.

Again, it often happens that the crane operator is required to set an apertured beam or heavy plate in place with the openings precisely matching the openings in another beam. This operation also requires one or two men on the floor near the load to bring the apertures in the two beams in register with each other.

Carrying boxes or castings down the length of a factory or foundry very often entails the maneuvering of the load, either past or over obstacles. The latter are of all kinds of size and height, which requires that the operator of the crane must see, at first glance, the condition surrounding the potential obstruction during the approach. It is not always advantageous to be perched near the ceiling of the factory in order to obtain the best view, because looking down on an object can be deceiving as to its height and size and even sometimes as to its exact position. Shadows caused by overhead lighting are also apt to interfere when the object is of considerable height.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cab operated crane or hoist in which the operator can choose his most advantagesous position when raising and lowering a load, also when traveling down the factory, all of which may require precision movement on the part of the operator.

Another object is to impart to a traveling crane or hoist the maximum maneuverability of the cab with respect to the load and surrounding objects so as to place the operator in the best possible position for observing the movement of the hook or of the suspended load.

Still another object is to provide mechanism for permitting the cab to move sideways of the load, also in the vertical position, both movement being independent of any movement of the load.

Another object is to provide a traveling crane which permits the load to be moved sideways and also in the vertical direction while maintaining independent movement of the cab and the load with respect to one another.

Other objects and features will be apparent as the following specification is perused in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a traveling crane or hoist together with electrical circuits for energizing and controlling the operating motors;

FIGURE 2 is also a schematic view, looking down on the transversely moving carriages, and also showing the immediately connected electrical circuits;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but taken below the line '33 of this figure, looking across the direction of the arrows, particularly to show the cab and load in different relative positions than that shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 represents a circuit which can be used in the energization of the various motors and braking equipment;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view partly in section showing the application of the invention to a particular kind of load, in this case a ladle about to fill a mold with molten metal; and

FIGURE 6 depicts an enlarged view of the cab and a typical electrical cable take-up drum shown partly in section and useful in maintaining the various cables taut and disentangled.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 1, reference character 1 represents the vertical side walls of a factory or warehouse, the concrete floor (broken away) of which is shown at 2. At a suitable height near the top there are two longitudinally extending abutments 3 which serve as a support for the ends of the crane structure.

There is .a rail 4 of metal extending along each abutment and secured thereto for receiving a pair of flanged wheels 5, the flanges of which override the rails. These wheels, of which there are two at each end, are suitably journaled in bearings 6 supported from a frame generally indicated at 7 which extends across the factory. The frame may be constituted of a number of heavy metal girders 7a joined at each end and at intermediate positions by transversely extending members (not shown) to complete the frame. The latter takes on a generally rectangular shape and is adapted to move along rails 4 when the wheels 5 are caused to rotate.

The wheels 5, at one end only of the frame, are driven in the manner described hereinafter, the wheels, at the other end merely following the driven wheels although, if desired, the wheels at both ends can be power-driven and operated simultaneously.

At the power-driven end of the frame, there is provided a gear 11 mounted on the wheel shaft t, which meshes with an intermediate gear 9 rotatably supported in any suitable manner from the main frame, and the latter is caused to engage a pinion 10 carried by a shaft 12 of a motor 13. Thus, when this motor is energized in the manner described hereinafter, the frame 7 is caused to move along the rails 4 through the action of the gears and the flanged wheels 5.

On account of the extreme weight of the crane as it moves lengthwise of the factory, it may be desirable to provide a number of diagonally extending struts 14 imbedded in concrete mounds 15 at the floor position.

CROSSWISE MOVING CARRIAGES There -re two heavy platforms 16, '17, for carrying the hook-hoist drum 18 and the other for carrying the cab-hoist drum 19. These platforms have at the forward and aft positions downwardly depending hangars 20 '(FIGURE 1) which terminate in bearings for rotatably supporting the wheels 21. These wheels run on separate pairs of tracks 22, 23 (FIGURE 2), the arrangement being such that the platforms 16, 17 can travel in either direction along their respective set of tracks, the latter being supported in any suitable manner on the frame 7.

This transverse movement of the carriages is accomplished by the use of motors 24, 25, supported in any suitable manner above the platforms 16, 17, respectively, and provided with shafts 26 having bevel gears 27 which mesh with vertically positioned bevel gears 28. The latter are carried by shafts 29 which carry a set of end wheels 21 of the platform or carriage. Thus, as the motors 24, 25 are energized they cause their respective carriages to move in one direction or the other along their respective tracks 22, 23 across the building, by driving one or the other shaft 26. Emergency stops 30 may be provided to limit the cross-wise movement of the carriages.

Each platform or carriage 16, 17 are provided with a relatively large rectangular opening 31, and at each side of the opening, there is a bearing upright 31' for carrying a shaft 32 on which drmms 18, 19 are mounted. The shaft is taken from the left hand end of each drum to a reversible motor 33, 34. Thus, when the respective motors are energized in the manner described hereinafter, these drums are caused to rotate in one direction or the other, depending upon the manner in which the respective motors are caused to rotate.

A metal rope 35 formed of two parallel lengths, is dropped from the drum .18 through the opening 31 and passes around a sheaved block 36 provided with a hook 37. The upper ends of the rope are reversely wound about the drum. Consequently, when the motor 33 is energized the drum 18 can be rotated in such direction as to wind up one of the cable lengths 35, carrying with it the block 36 and the attached hook 37. The lowering of the block and hook is accomplished by reversing the direction of the motor.

The companion carriage 17 shown to the right in FIG- URE 2 has a construction similar to the left hand carriage except that the rope or cable 38 passes to a sheave block 39 which carries the cab generally shown at 40 containing the operator. Thus, as the motor 34 is energized, the drum 19 is caused to turn and wind up on the cable, thereby raising or lowering the cab 40, depending upon the direction in which the motor is rotated.

CAB STRUCTURE As shown more particularly in FIGURE 6, the cab conforms to a rectangular shape, having a solid bottom 44, with sheet metal plate 45 extending around four sides of the cab, so as to protect the operator, and the corner pieces 45' serving as a support for narrow steel plates 46 at the top. This will leave a substantial opening 47 around four sides of the cab as seen more clearly in FIGURE so that the operator will have full view from all sides of the cab.

The cab is supported by means of a heavy rod or bar member 48 which is connected directly to the sheaved block 39, and to give it added support guy wires 49 may also be provided. In addition, these wires serve to prevent any un-due rotation or vibration of the cab.

Within the cab there is a switch panel 50 having a series of buttons or switches 51 by which the operator can control all of the motors 13, 24, 25, 33 and 34 which, in turn, control the transverse movements of the carriages 16, 17, also the longitudinal movement of the crane as a whole and, in addition, the up and down movements of the load block 36 and the cab block 39.

CABLE TIGHTENING APPARATUS At each of the positions of the various motors, there is provided a device for maintaining the control cables taut. An enlarged and perhaps somewhat exaggerated view of this cable tautening apparatus is shown in FIGURE 6. It may comprise a heavy metal cylinder 52, totally enclosed except for large slots 53, 54 at the top and bottom for receiving the cable at one end 'and for paying out the cable through the other end.

Within the cylinder 52 there is a rotatable drum 55, the periphery of which has a number of semi-circular grooves on which to wind or unwind the cable. This drum may be journaled on a shaft 56 which extends outwardly from the top portion of the cab. Between one side of the drum and the inside surface of the cylinder there is a space for a heavy torsion spring 57, one end of which is connected to the drum and the other end connected to the cylinder in such a way as to be able continuously to apply a rotational effort to the drum 55. Thus, a pulling effect is exerted on the wire cable 58. These wire tautening devices may be positioned wherever needed to prevent entanglement of the wires when the various operating members of the crane assume different positions.

The individual circuits for controlling the various motors are well known in the art and these circuits are schematically indicated by the dot-dash lines labelled circuits on the drawings. However, in accordance with my invention, these circuits are brought together to a junction box 60 and then formed into a highly insulated cable 58 which passes into the cab through the tautening device 59.

SCHEMATIC CIRCUIT It is desirable in cranes of this type when applied to the longitudinal movement of the crane, also the crosswise travel of the carriages, and the operation of the drums for moving the hook and the cab up and down, that after any one or more of the respective motors have been onergized to give the desired operation and then become deenergized, that any further or unwanted movement at the motor, brought about perhaps by momentum, shall be stopped almost immediately. A suitable circuit for performing this function is shown in FIGURE 4. This prevents any over-run of the movable parts or structures. It is therefore desirable to provide a brake at the positions of all of the motors, this brake being of any approved and well known type, generally operated on the electromagnetic principle. The brake can be conveniently coupled to an extension of the shaft motor and is generally indicated by the reference character 61. I

A suitable type of circuit that can be used for applying the usual 220 volts to the rescpective motors and also for instantly energizing the electromagnetic brake at each motor position when the motor has become de-energized is shown in FIGURE 4. This circuit is also characterized by a low voltage control circuit which is necessary in bringing the various circuits back to the switch panel within the cab.

Referring to this figure the 220 volt mains are indicated at L1, L2 and a connection is taken from the line L2 through the primary 62 of a transformer, back to the other main line L1. This transformer, indicated generally at 63, is of the voltage step-down type, feeding into a. secondary coil 64. There is a switch indicated generally at 65 for reversing the direction of current to the driving motor indicated at DM, this switch comprising a blade 66 which makes contact at 67, 68 with the wires 69, 70. Springs 71 can be employed to maintain the blade 66 in a neutral position.

The wire 69 passes around the core of an electromagnet 72 and is connected through the conductor 73 back to one end of the secondary coil 64., The other end of the conductor 73 is connected through a conductor 74 to an electromagnet 75 and is joined to the conductor back to the other contact member 68.

The electromagnet 72 is provided with an armature 76 which, in its lower position, connects contacts 77, and in its upper position connects contacts 78. The armature is joined to the core of the electromagnet by a rod 79. The left hand contacts 77, 78 are joined together by the wire 80. The right hand contact 78 constitutes a line conductor 81 for the motor DM.

The electromagnet is provided with a rod 82 having an armature 83 which, in its upper position, joins the contacts 84 and, in its lower position, connects the contacts 85. A wire 86 is taken from the left hand contact 84 which joins the conductor 80, and a wire 87 is taken from this junction to the main line L1. The right hand contact 84 is connected through a line 88 to the motor DM. The left hand lower contact is connected through a conductor 89 to one side of the braking device 61. The right hand lower contact 85 is connected through a conductor 90 to the lower right hand contact 77. A conductor 91' is also taken from the motor DM back to the line L2, and a conductor 92 is taken from the electromagnetic brake 61 also to the line L2.

A study of this circuit will show that when the blade 66 is moved to contact 67 there is a circuit through the conductor 93, the blade 66, the contact 67, conductor 69,

electromagnet 72, back through the conductor 73 to the secondary 64. This energizes the electromagnet and causes the armature 76 to move upwardly and make contact at 78. A circuit is established from the line L1 through the conductor 87, contacts 78, conductor 81, motor DM, conductor 91 to the line L2. In this manner fairly high voltage is applied directly to the motor even though the switching device 66 is connected only, in a relatively low voltage control circuit.

The brake 60 under these circumstances is not energized and therefore cannot apply a retarding effect on the motor shaft. When the operator switches the blade 66 away from the contact 67 and leaves it in the neutral position, the connection through the electromagnet 72 is opened and this allows the armature 76 to drop and connect the contacts 77. This will establish a circuit from line L1 through the conductor 87, the armature 76, through the conductor 90, across the contacts 85 (because the armature 83 is in its lower position) and thence to the brake device 61 through the conductor 92' to the line main L2. This will cause the brake to become energized and to exert a retarding effect on the motor shaft.

In order to reverse the current to the motor DM, the operator would switch the blade 66 to make contact at 68. In this case, a circuit is established from the secondary 64 through the conductor 93, blade 66, contact 68, conductor 70, electromagnet 75, through conductors 74, 73, back to the secondary. Thus the electromagnet 75 would become energized and would pull up the armature 83 to connect the line L1 through the conductors 87, 86, contacts 84, 88 to the motor, through the motor and through conductor 91 to the line L2.

After reversing the motor in the manner described, the operator can then switch the blade 66 to its neutral position, which will, in effect, cause the de-energization of the electromagnet 75, and this will allow the armature 83 to drop and connect the contact 85, to apply current from line L1 through conductor 87, contacts 77, contacts 85 and conductor 89 to the braking device, and thence through conductor 92 to line L2. Consequently, in both directions of movement of the motor DM, and after the energization of the motor has been cut off, the braking device 61 is immediately energized to stop any undesired further movement of the motor shaft.

It is evident that the control circuit as represented by the secondary 64, the switching device as generally indicated by the dot-dash rectangle 65, also the electromagnets 72, 75, use only relatively low voltage as compared to the voltage applied to each driving motor and the braking device 61. This low voltage aspect lends itself to being able to collect all of the control wires, indicated by the dot-dash lines to the various motors in suitably insulated cables, indicated at 58, and bring this cable with the contained wires into the tautening drum 59, and thence into the cab 40.

It will be understood that the electromagnetic devices and immediately associated circuits, or equivalent apparatus as indicated by the dot-dash rectangle 95 would be provided for each motor and its braking device, and located at any convenient position with respect to the motor. The control boxes 92a to 92e for motors 13, 24, 25, 33, 34 shown on the drawings are intended to represent the switching devices shown in FIGURE 4. It is to be understood that no specific position or positions for these switching devices is required as it would depend upon the crane structure and arrangement of parts. However, it will also be understood that the manually operated control switch 65 will not be positioned near the electromagnetic devices, even though illustrated as such, but instead would be located in the cab 40, as explained hereinafter.

The panel 50 within the cab can have a series of push buttons as indicated at 51 or a series of swingable blades corresponding to the element 66 in FIGURE 4 in such a way as could be supplied by one skilled in the art such that an operator could, upon pushing a button or moving the blade in any one of the control circuits, cause the energization of any one of the motors, 13-, 24, 25, 33 and 34 in eitherdirection, and by bringing the switching device in any manner back to neutral, have the brake 61 applied at any one of the motor positions.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Inasmuch, as the operator has under his control the movements forward and back of the crane structure as a Whole, also the transverse movements of the two carriages, and the drum movements supported on the carriages for moving the hook block and the cab block up or down, it is apparent that the operator can position his cab practically any place within the horizontal limits of the overhead frame stretching across the factory, and thus can, if he so desires, bring the cab down to floor level if the hook is also desired to be at this approximate level. On the other hand, he can, by operating the proper buttons or contact blades, raise the cab to any height that he finds necessary and leave the hook also at any height that is necessary, one movement being completely independent of the other. Thus the cab can be raised at such a height when transporting a load lengthwise down the factory or shop that will give him the best or optimum view of the hook block and attached load, in order to avoid any possible obstruction or obstacles along the path.

By having the two transversely extending tracks 22, 23 side by side, as indicated in FIGURE 2, I have been enabled to not only move the cab vertically independently of any movement or stationary position of the load block, but also to move the cab sideways past the load block to get a view from the other side of the block, and thus determine whether or not the load should be raised or lowered to a new position. In other words, I am able to obtain almost universality of movement with respect to the position of the load and the position of the cab within the range and width of the transversely extending frame of the crane.

One particular advantage in being able to move the cab past the load and also to select a position in height as precisely to see the position of the hook and its load, is in connection with the molding art as shown in FIG- URE 5. In this case reference character 98 designates a sand mold with a space 99 within the sand previously occupied by a pattern. A port 100 is provided in the top of the mold to serve as a pour opening for the molten metal. There is a ladle 101 directly above this opening, the ladle having a discharge opening 102 which is normally closed by a carbon plug 103 supported from a carbon rod 104. The upper end of this rod is provided with a swivel joint 105 for connection with a relatively long operating rod 106. The latter is fulcrumed, as indicated at 107, to a corner projection on the ladle. Thus, in order to allow the melted metal to escape through the discharge opening 102, a man would pull down on the end of the rod as indicated by the arrow 108, which will cause the rod 104 to elevate and allow the metal to escape through the bottom of the ladle. It is obviously imperative that this discharge opening 102 shall register exactly with the pour opening 100 in the mold.

While heretofore a work-man equipped with a hooked rod would maneuver the ladle into this precise position and would hold the ladle in that position during the pouring operationa dangerous taskI am enabled, by bringing the cab down practically to the same level as the mold, to obtain a clear line of sight, as indicated by the dot-dash line 109, as to bring the two openings 102, 100 in exact register with one another without the need of manual manipulation of the ladle. In this case, it is only necessary for an operator to pull down on the rod 106 to fill the mold with molten metal and then to push the rod upwardly when the mold is full. Thus, by manipulating the push buttons or the switching blades within the cab, I am enabled to avoid the necessity of manual assistance in maneuvering the heavy and hot ladle into the proper filling position.

There are many other applications in the industrial field dealing with the proper placement of the load, also the proper carrying of the load through any distance along a factory or warehouse. A clear and uninterrupted view obtained through an optimum position of the operator is absolutely imperative in the interest, not only of saving time, but also of preventing injury to workmen and others who may be standing around and had not observed the approach of the load.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a traveling crane having supporting means movable back and forth in a first direction: track means mounted on said supporting means for movement therewith in said first direction and extending in a direction transverse to said first direction, first and second separate carriage means movable on said track means, load engaging means suspended from said first carriage means, an operators cab suspended from said second carriage means, first motor means for moving said first carriage means back and forth on said track means and for lifting and lowering said load engaging means suspended therefrom, and second motor means for moving said second carriage means back and forth on said track means and for lifting and lowering said cab, said first and second motor means being independent of each other so as to permit independent movement of said two carriage means relative to each other on said track means and to permit independent movement of said load engaging means and said cab relative to each other in vertical direction and separate control means for said motor means located in said cab, so that an operator may maneuver his cab and load to bring his cab into proximity to the load engaging means and in the most advantageous position for control of the load engaging means.

2. In combination with a traveling crane having supporting means movable back and forth in a first direction: first and second track means mounted on said supporting means in parallel relationship to each other for movement therewith in said first direction and extending in a direction transverse to said first direction, first and second separate carriage means respectively movable on said first and second track means, loading engaging means suspended from said first carriage means, an operators cab suspended from said second carriage means, first motor means for moving said first carriage means back and forth on said first track means and for lifting and lowering said load engaging means suspended therefrom, and second motor means for moving said second carriage means back and forth on said second track means and for lifting and lowering said cab, said first and second motor means being independent of each other so as to permit independent movement of said two carriage means relative to each other on said track means and to permit independent movement of said load engaging means and said cab relative to each other in vertical direction and separate control means for said motor means located in said cab, so that an operator may maneuver his cab and load to bring his cab into proximity to the load engaging means and in the most advantageous position for control of the load engaging means.

3. In combination with a traveling crane having supporting means movable back and forth in a first direction: track means mounted on said supporting means for movement therewith in said first direction and extending in a direction transverse to said first direction, first and second separate carriage means movable on said track means, load engaging means suspended from said first carriage means, an operators cab suspended from said second carriage means, a firstmotor for moving said first carriage means back and forth on said track means, a second motor for lifting and lowering said load engaging means suspended from said first carriage means, a third motor for moving said second carriage means back and forth on said track means, and a fourth motor for lifting and lowering said cab, all of said motors being independent of each other so as to permit independent movement of said two carriage means relative to each other on said track means and to permit independent movement of said load engaging means and said cab relative to each other in vertical direction and separate control means for said motor means located in said cab, so that an operator may maneuver his cab and load to bring his cab into proximity to the load engaging means and in most advantageous position for control of the load engaging means.

4. A traveling crane according to claim 1, which includes control means associated with said cab and operatively connected to said motor means for controlling the same independently of each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,812,951 7/1931 Heinle.

1,877,582 9/1932 Peavear 21'221 2,061,044 11/1936 Ringe 212-126 2,141,469 12/1938 Hansen et al. 21289 2,646,892 7/1953 Dehn 21221 2,707,053 4/1955 Browning 212*21 3,080,981 3/1963 Kuschel et al. 21228 3,172,544 3/1965 Johnson et al. 212-89 ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Examiner.

A. L. LEVINE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A TRAVELING CRANE HAVING SUPPORTING MEANS MOVABLE BACK AND FORTH IN A FIRST DIRECTION: TRACK MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORTING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION AND EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO SAID FIRST DIRECTION, FIRST AND SECOND SEPARATE CARRIAGE MEANS MOVABLE ON SAID TRACK MEANS, LOAD ENGAGING MEANS SUSPENDED FROM SAID FIRST CARRIAGE MEANS, AN OPERATOR''S CAB SUSPENDED FROM SAID SECOND CARRIAGE MEANS, FIRST MOTOR MEANS FOR MOVING SAID FIRST CARRIAGE MEANS BACK AND FORTH ON SAID TRACK MEANS AND FOR LIFTING AND LOWERING SAID LOAD ENGAGING MEANS SUSPENDED THEREFROM, AND SECOND MOTOR MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SECOND CARRIAGE MEANS BACK AND FORTH ON SAID TRACK MEANS AND FOR LIFTING AND LOWERING SAID CAB, SAID FIRST AND SECOND MOTOR MEANS BEING INDEPENDNET OF EACH OTHER SO AS TO PERMIT INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT OF SAID TWO CARRIAGE MEANS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER ON SAID TRACK MEANS AND TO PERMIT INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT OF SAID LOAD ENGAGING MEANS AND SAID CAB RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER IN VERTICAL DIRECTION AND SEPARATE CONTRLL MEANS FOR SAID MOTOR MEANS LOCATED IN SAID CAB, SO THAT AN OPERATOR MAY MANEUVER HIS CAB AND LOAD TO BRING HIS CAB INTO PROXIMITY TO THE LOAD ENGAGING MEANS AND IN THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION FOR CONTROL OF THE LOAD ENGAGING MEANS. 